Big 12 Power Rankings: Week 7
Big 12 Softball Week 6 Notable Results
Arizona swept Utah
Texas Tech swept Baylor
Oklahoma State beat Houston in a single game
Arizona State took two of three at UCF
Big 12 Softball Tier 1 Teams
1. Arizona (26-4, 4-2 Big 12)
The Wildcats have allowed seven runs in the past five games, and six of those came in a single game (four of those were unearned). Miranda Stoddard hit two home runs, bringing her season total to nine this season. The Wildcats have a big week in Arizona, visiting GCU and Arizona State, two teams playing well right now.
2. Texas Tech (23-7, 5-1)
Honestly, the Red Raiders might just be better suited for series play as they dominated Baylor, outscoring the Bears 21-1. NiJaree Canady didn’t allow an earned run over 14 innings, just normal NiJaree Canady things. Canady versus the South Carolina offense in Columbia will be a fun matchup and even a possible Super Regional preview if the cards fell right.
3. Oklahoma State (17-6, 2-2)
The Cowgirls were only able to get one game in this past week due to the wildfires in Stillwater. Ruby Meylan almost tossed a no-hitter. Megan Bloodworth carried the offense in the 3-0 win with a homer and RBI triple. This unfortunately will affect the Big 12 regular season race but this event was much bigger than softball.
Big 12 Softball Tier 2 Team
Both the Sun Devils and Knights are positioned to be NCAA Tournament teams.
4. Arizona State (22-8, 4-2)
Those Sun Devils return home after going 4-1 on their Florida trip. That was a huge result as Arizona State tries to make the NCAA Tournament for the first time under Megan Bartlett. The offense is finding different heroes with each game but Kelsey Hall is going out with a bang. The ‘grandma’ of the youthful Sun Devils leads the team in OPS (1.152), home runs () and RBI ()
5. UCF (20-11-1, 3-3)
It was a rough week for the Knights as their youth showed. They were shut out in back-to-back games by Florida and Arizona State. Three UCF errors helped the Sun Devils take the series finale. UCF has a good bounce-back opportunity as they host Iowa State next weekend. Knights will hopefully have Sierra Humphreys back after missing the Arizona State series.
Big 12 Softball Tier 3 Teams
These teams have an outside chance of making the NCAA Tournament
6. BYU (16-6, 1-2)
7. Houston (17-8, 2-2)
Weather and wildfires forced both sets of Cougars to barely play this past week. BYU hasn’t played since March 11 after two games against Idaho State were wiped away. Houston pitched pretty well in its one matchup against Oklahoma State. This upcoming series between the two should be a good battle for each side.
8. Kansas (13-10, 2-1)
The Jayhawks dropped a mid-week against Wichita State and split a pair against Omaha, losing to Maddia Groff. Presley Limbaugh has picked up where she left off last season. She leads the team in hits (28) and batting average (.394). Kansas is still in striking distance of a postseason spot RPI wise so the Utah series plays big for them next week.
Big 12 Softball Tier 4 Teams
9. Baylor (12-17, 1-5)
It’s hard to find positive about Baylor right now. The Bears aren’t necessarily a young team, most of their best players are juniors and seniors. There is still time to turn it around but it has to happen quickly if Baylor is to have any shot at the postseason.
10. Iowa State (11-14, 1-2)
11. Utah (8-22, 0-3)
Unlike Baylor, Iowa State and Utah are very young teams. The Cyclones’ offense is seeing good things from freshmen Jessie Clemons and Sereniti Trice, which makes you optimistic despite the losing record. Lauren Schurman has shown improvement in her second season despite the 4-9 record.
Redshirt Jolie Mayfield hit a pair of home runs against Arizona for the Utes, she now leads the team with three blasts.
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